Apparatus for developing photographic films.



No. 665,599. Pmmu Ian. 3, I901;

, n. B. rz'rsunsn. APPARATUS FUR DEVELOPING PHUTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

(Appfication filed Nov. 21, 1898.)

(lo Iodel.)

UNITED ES MARTIN B. FETsOi-ma'or DENVER, COLORADO.

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 665,599, dated January8, 1901.

Application filed November 21,1899. lerial No. 737,729. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTIN B. FETSCHER, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State ofColorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatusfor Developing Photographic Films; and I do declare the following to boa full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to thefigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for use in developingphotographic films. These films when taken from the kodak or otherinstrument form a continuous strip containing a series of undevelopedpictures. The usual procedure is to cut the film up into as many partsas it contains pictures; but as this must be done in the dark room itoften happens that a mistake is made, resulting in cutting and spoilinga picture. Furthermore, the successful development of these separatedfilms is a tedious and difficult operation, requiring the attention ofan expert or skilled person. Amateur photography has become now sogeneral that a simple apparatus capable of use by the unskilled wherebykodakfilms may be successfully and very easily developed without the aidof special skill has become a desideratum, and I have accordinglydevised the apparatus hereinafter described, an embodiment of which isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, to which reference is herebymade.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top or plan viewof myimprovedapparatus.Fig.2isaside elevation of the same, the supporting guidebar being partlybroken away. Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryhorizontalsection taken through theframe and guide-bar, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 4 isperspective view of the apparatus as-it appears when in use, the partsbeing shown on a smaller scale.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in theviews, let the numeral 5 designate a frame composed of two side bars 5,connected by webs 5, which project from a central lug orbosso On theoutersurface of one of these side bars 5 is formed a lug or projection 5adapted to engage a groove 6, formed in a supporting guide-bar 6, whichis provided with a vertical longitudinal slot 6. The side bar 5 isprovided with an opening passing through the lug 5 and adapted toreceive a bolt 7, which also passes through the slot of the bar and isfastened by screwing a thumb-nutS upon its inner threaded extremity. Thebar 6 is secured to the wall 9 or other suitable support by passingsuitable fastening devices through its apertu red extremities. Thesurface of the bar 6 adjacent the wall is grooved on opposite sides ofthe slot to receive the head of the bolt 7, whereby the latter isallowed to slide freely in the slot of the bar when the thumb-nutisloosened. It is evident that this construction will permit a verticaladjustment of the frame on the bar, the range of movement being limitedonly by the length of the slot. If a greater vertical adjustment isrequired, the bar 6 may be raised or lowered bodily.

In the respective extremities of the two side bars 5 are journaled tworollers 10. The journal of one of these rollers is provided with ahand-cran k 12. The two rollers are connected by an endless cord 13,engaging circumferential grooves 1O and 10 formed in the respectiverollers. The groove 10 in the roller to which the crank is attached isdeeper than the groove 10 in the other roller to cause the one roller totravel slightly faster than the other in order to prevent the film 15from sagging downward between the two rollers. By virtue of the groovesin the rollers the cord is located in a lower plane than the uppersection of the film when traveling between the rollers, whereby the filmis prevented from touching the cord.

In using my improved apparatus the extremities of the film are pinnedtogether, after which the film is placed upon the rollers in the mannershown in Fig. 4.. The tray or receptacle 16, containing the developingfluid or wash-water, as the case may be, is placed upon the floor orother suitable support and the frame 5 adjusted to bring the lowestportion of the endless film in position for immersion in the liquid inthe said receptacle. The crank 12 is then turned, causing the film totravel through the liquid until the desired object is accomplished.

It will thus be seen that my improved apparatus is very simple inconstruction, and also that no special skill is required in its propermanipulation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combinationwith a frame mounted on a suitable support, of separated rollersjournaled in said frame, a receptacle adapted to hold developing fluid,located below the roller-frame, means for propelling the rollers wherebythe endless film is made to pass through the fluid in the receptacle,and means for adjusting the roller-frame vertically on its supportwhereby the distance between it and the fluid-receptacle may beregulated at pleasure according to the length of the film undertreatment.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 35 in presence of twowitnesses.

MARTIN B. FETSCHER. Witnesses:

GRACE MYTINGER, A. J. OBRIEN.

